Automotive ignition coil tester
First Claim
1. An automotive ignition coil tester adapted for testing an automotive ignition coil, comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) circuit means included in said housing including a switch and a capacitor disposed across said switch; and
(c) means for connecting said circuit means to said coil and to a battery and to a spark tester, (d) means for verifying that at least a minimum voltage is provided to said tester and to said coil and wherein said minimum voltage is adapted to indicate a voltage of said battery and wherein said battery provides electrical power to said coil and wherein said means for verifying includes means for providing a visible indication that a voltage greater than nine volts DC is present at said tester and at said coil prior to testing said coil;
wherein when said switch is cycled from a closed position into an open position and said coil is properly functioning, a visible arc is produced across said spark tester subsequent to each cycling of said switch.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for testing the actual functioning of an automotive coil includes a housing with a switch and a capacitor across the switch. Connections to ground and to a coil that is placed in series with the apparatus are provided. An opposite side of the coil either is or remains connected to a positive source of voltage, such as a battery in the automobile. The positive source of voltage is also connected to a visible spark tester. Cycling of the switch activates the coil and produces an arc that is visible in the spark tester. An additional circuit is provided in the housing that verifies the presence of a minimum required voltage.
18 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An automotive ignition coil tester adapted for testing an automotive ignition coil, comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) circuit means included in said housing including a switch and a capacitor disposed across said switch; and
(c) means for connecting said circuit means to said coil and to a battery and to a spark tester, (d) means for verifying that at least a minimum voltage is provided to said tester and to said coil and wherein said minimum voltage is adapted to indicate a voltage of said battery and wherein said battery provides electrical power to said coil and wherein said means for verifying includes means for providing a visible indication that a voltage greater than nine volts DC is present at said tester and at said coil prior to testing said coil;
wherein when said switch is cycled from a closed position into an open position and said coil is properly functioning, a visible arc is produced across said spark tester subsequent to each cycling of said switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining the condition of an automotive coil, comprised of the steps of:
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(a) disconnecting an electrical output of a coil from an automobile;
(b) providing an automotive coil tester that includes;
(1) a housing;
(2) circuit means included in said housing including a switch and a capacitor disposed across said switch; and
(3) means for connecting said circuit means to said coil and to a battery and to a spark tester, (4) means for verifying that at least a minimum voltage is provided to said tester and to said coil and wherein said minimum voltage is adapted to indicate a voltage of said battery and wherein said battery provides electrical power to said coil and wherein said means for verifying includes means for providing a visible indication that a voltage greater than nine volts DC is present at said tester and at said coil prior to testing said coil;
wherein when said switch is cycled from a closed position into an open position and said coil is properly functioning, a visible arc is produced across said spark tester subsequent to each cycling of said switch;
(c) attaching said automotive coil tester to said electrical output of said coil, to said spark tester, and to a direct current source of voltage;
(d) urging said switch from a closed position into an open position; and
(e) observing said spark tester for the presence of an arc.
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Specification